A £300 monthly budget for your car is a great starting point, giving you the choice of a good few brand-new cars. But, like any budget, you’ll get much more for your money by buying used.
Sure enough, some of these cars will make your neighbours think you’ve spent a lot more than you actually have. You’ll find high-end petrol, hybrid and electric options, as well as hot hatchbacks and fantastic family SUVs for your budget.
For even more options, browse our wide range of cars under £300 per month or our selection of cars for £299 or less with a £299 deposit.
Hyundai Tucson
Not content to be an 'also-ran', the Hyundai Tucson has some of the boldest styling in the family SUV class to stand out. It's not just an eye-catching face either, with a super-spacious cabin that has enough room for six-footers to fully stretch out, plus plenty of boot space. There are pin-sharp screens for the centre infotainment system and the driver's dials, and all cars come very well equipped from the factory. All engines have enough grunt to move the Tucson weight around easily, and you'll find fuel-sipping full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines further up the range.
If you're comparing the Hyundai Tucson against the Kia Sportage, you'll typically find that the Hyundai is cheaper as a used car but just as talented.
Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review
Cupra Formentor
With a squat stance and mean looks, the Cupra Formentor is here to put the 'sport' into SUV. It's not just for show, either. The Formentor has the kind of poise and balance you'd expect from a real-deal hot hatch, and a selection of punchy petrol and plug-in-hybrid engines to give it the 'go' to match. You also sit nice and low, despite the raised, kerb-friendly ride height, further emphasising the car's sportiness. All this ability demands remarkably few compromises, too, with a full suite of modern on-board tech plus enough passenger and cargo space for a family of four.
Shop used Cupra Formentor cars for sale or read our Cupra Formentor review
Ford Kuga
If you want a practical car that still handles nicely, get yourself a Ford Kuga. It’s probably the best midsize SUV to drive, with direct steering and eager engines – and there’s also a hybrid version that squeezes into this budget at the time of writing. But the Kuga also does the family stuff well, with lots of rear-seat space and a boot that’s usefully larger than the Focus hatchback.
While you can get an entry-level Kuga for closer to £250 a month, spending that little bit extra gets you a huge choice of versions and lower-mileage cars. Titanium has all the kit covered – there’s a reversing camera, a digital dashboard, multi-zone climate control and a fancy B&O sound system.
Shop used Ford Kuga cars for sale or read our Ford Kuga review
Audi A3
Sure, you can get a Volkswagen Golf for under £300 per month, but why not treat yourself to the posher version? The Audi A3 has plusher materials and tech that both looks more impressive and is more usable than the Golf, while practicality and the engine choices are largely the same.
This much money buys you an A3 that’s only a couple of years old and in the popular S Line trim, or the plug-in hybrid A3 with its 40-mile electric range if you’re happy with the Sport trim. Sport doesn’t have the glitz of S Line, but it has all the tech of the higher-spec car.
Shop used Audi A3 cars for sale or read our Audi A3 review
Kia Niro
Sports cars don’t get everyone’s juices flowing so, if you’d rather push yourself to get the best possible fuel economy, the Kia Niro is a top choice. Kia says it’ll do 64mpg, which is pretty impressive given that the Niro is an SUV with space for your family and friends. Every Niro has an electric motor, an automatic gearbox and an allergy to using lots of petrol – your choice is hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric.
The Niro has been thoroughly developed to be easy to live with. It drives obediently, it’s quiet and comfortable, has the balance of a seven-year warranty and lots of equipment to take the boredom away – including adaptive cruise control, digital dials and Apple CarPlay.
Shop used Kia Niro cars for sale
Mazda CX-5
You might’ve considered the usual midsize SUV suspects, but go a bit left-field and there are still some gems to be found. The Mazda CX-5 should be on your list if you don’t quite fancy a Tiguan or Tucson, with its athletic styling, family-friendly practicality and an interior that boasts the same sort of quality you get in an Audi or BMW.
The CX-5 offers pretty decent value for money as well – you’ll get more equipment in a Mazda than in many rivals. And everything’s wrapped up in an interior that’s a delight to use and easy to get on with.
Shop used Mazda CX-5 cars for sale or read our Mazda CX-5 review
Citroen C5 X
Despite sounding confusingly similar, the CX-5 and C5 X are completely different cars developed on different sides of the world. Before we forget which is which, the Citroen version is a sleek estate thing with a focus on style and comfort. It has a calm and lounge-like interior, featuring soft seats and premium materials. Because the C5 X is quite a big car, there’s a vast amount of legroom and a long, useful boot. Petrol and plug-in hybrid engines are available, with the PHEV offering almost 40 miles of silent EV range.
Shop used Citroen C5 X cars for sale or read our Citroen C5 X review
Vauxhall Astra
Even though SUVs are taking the top spots in the sales charts, the familiar Vauxhall Astra is still worth considering. It now has smart, futuristic styling and a similarly modern dashboard, while there’s more than just petrol and diesel options these days. How about a plug-in hybrid hot hatch with thrills and low bills? That’s the powerful GSe. And there’s even a fully electric Astra now, which is satisfyingly subtle and officially manages over 250 miles to a charge. Top-spec cars with all the trimmings are well within budget, and you’ll find examples with just a couple of thousand miles on the clock.
Shop used Vauxhall Astra cars for sale or read our Vauxhall Astra review
Mercedes CLA
The Mercedes CLA looks stylish and expensive, yet you can nab a used example for similar money to an Audi A1 or Toyota Yaris. There’s a big touchscreen as standard, and a superb-looking interior that oozes premium appeal. The promise of 45mpg from the CLA 200 petrol engine means this is one Merc that won’t cost a lot to run. This shape of CLA only comes with an easy automatic gearbox, which adds to the posh feel.
Shop used Mercedes CLA cars for sale or read our Mercedes CLA review
Peugeot 208
It’s true, you can get a Peugeot 208 for considerably less than £300 per month. But we’ve picked up a batch of nearly brand new 208s, some with just delivery miles on. Ideal if you want what is essentially a box-fresh car without having to wait for it to be built – and with thousands off the list price. The 208 is the smartest and perhaps the most luxurious supermini, with huge amounts of equipment and a delightfully peppy 1.2-litre engine, which is swift and economical all at the same time.
Shop used Peugeot 208 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 208 review
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £400 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
